(Elk Horn, IA) – The Exira-EHK Spartans won their eighth straight game on Monday night with a postseason win over Heartland Christian. Exira-EHK has continued to see success this year as they earned first place in the Rolling Valley Conference this season over Woodbine. The only two losses of the season for the Tigers have been wins for the Spartans. Head Coach Tony Santistaben is proud of his boys for their accomplishments this season and knows that he couldn’t have done it without their drive and passion for the game.
This Exira-EHK team works as one unit, rather than having a star player. The Spartans feature four players averaging double-digits this season including leading scorer Cash Emgarten with 18 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Aiden Flathers has continued to lead the charge at guard with 13.4 points, 3.4 assists, and five rebounds per game. Both Josh Nelson and Jackson Radcliff are averaging 10 points and six rebounds or more this season.
While the offense continues to roll in the right direction, the defense continues to be the main catalyst for the Spartans. Coach Santistaben says that this defensive mentality comes from the success of the past.
Looking into their next game, the Spartans will be taking on the Riverside Bulldogs in regional semifinal action. Riverside is led this season by senior Grady Jeppesen who is averaging 25.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and two steals per game this season, leading in all categories. The Bulldog also scored the most points in a playoff game in total in the state with a total of 36 points in playoff action. If Jeppesen is hot on the night, he and the Bulldogs are hard to stop on the hardwood.
Exira-EHK hosts Riverside on Thursday, February 15th for regional semifinal action. The game will tipoff at 7:00 p.m. and will air on KS95.7 with a 6:40 p.m. pregame show as Zach Collins has the call.
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